Main points
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The FDA updated its list of aluminum and brass cookware that could leach dangerous levels of lead into food and expanded recalls for several new brands in August and November.
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The recalled products were found to be unsafe due to lead contamination, which poses specific risks to young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women.
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Consumers who own any marked cookware should discard it, and the FDA notes that monitoring continues and more items may be added.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has once again updated its list of lead-contaminated cookware.
In August, the agency warned consumers and stores about certain imported cookware that could leach large amounts of lead into food. The FDA explains that the cookware is made of aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys called “Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium.”
The initially recalled cookware was tested by the agency and its state partners and found to contain lead. The FDA says this leaching makes it “food unsafe” if cooked in any product.
In the first recall, the FDA added, “Young children, women of childbearing age, and breastfeeding women may be at increased risk for potential adverse events after consuming food prepared with these products.”
In late October, the FDA expanded the original list, adding six brands. Now, nine more have been added. In its latest post, the FDA noted, “Other cookware products may also be affected. FDA will continue to update this table with additional products as new information becomes available.” Here’s what you need to know.
Which brands appear on FDA’s initial list and first updated list?
brand: Kadai/Karahi (tiger white, pure aluminum tableware, Saraswati Strips Pvt. Ltd.)
Retailer: Manna Supermarket, 166-11 Hillside Avenue, Jamaica, New York 11432
brand: silver horse (7 6554273084 5 al mathar kadai 26)
Retailer: Patel Brothers, 830 W. Golf Road, Schaumburg, IL 60194
brand: Silver Horse (7 6554272863 7 aluminum milk pot 4)
Retailer: Patel Brothers, 830 W. Golf Road, Schaumburg, IL 60194
brand: JK Vallabhdas (Alkadai India Bazaar #3 2000000772)
Retailer: Indiaco, 15 Golf Center, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
brand: Kadai/Karahi aluminum hammered kadai, size 7
Retailer: Indian Supermarket, 4421 Gateway Park Blvd, Sacramento, CA
brand: brass pot
Retailer: Santos Agency Inc., 1188 Montague Street, San Leandro, CA
brand: Dolphin brand aluminum pot
Retailer: Al Monsoor Video Inc. DBA Diya Handicrafts, 2603 W. Devon Avenue, Chicago
brand: Town Food Service Equipment Co., Ltd. (Made in Pakistan); 2-quart aluminum pot
Retailer: Best Kitchen Supply, 413 Morse Street NE, Washington, DC
brand: Town Food Service Equipment Co. (Made in Pakistan); 3 quart aluminum pot
Retailer: Best Kitchen Supply, 413 Morse Street NE, Washington, DC
brand: Royal Kitchen cookware milk pan, size 3
Retailer: Subzi Bazaar, 194 Route 17 North, Rochelle Park, New Jersey
Which brands are involved in the expanded recall?
brand: sonex cookware
Retailer: Balady Foods, 7128 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, New York
brand: IKM/JSM Foods (aluminum pan)
Retailer: India Metro Supermarket, 5130 Mowry Avenue, Fremont, California
brand: Kraftwares (India) Ltd. (brass top)
Retailer: India Metro Supermarket, 5130 Mowry Avenue, Fremont, California
brand: Kraftwares (India) Ltd. (aluminum kadai, size 5)
Retailer: India Metro Supermarket, 5130 Mowry Avenue, Fremont, California
brand: IKM/JSM Foods (4-quart brass pot)
Retailer: India Cash & Carry, 39175 Farwell Drive, Fremont, California
brand: Silver Horse (Al Caldero 28)
Retailer: Punjabi Supermarket and Halal Meats, 8767 Philadelphia Road, Rosedale, Maryland
brand: Silver Horse (Al degda 24)
Retailer: Punjabi Supermarket and Halal Meats, 8767 Philadelphia Road, Rosedale, Maryland
brand: Silver Horse (Al degda 20)
Retailer: Punjabi Supermarket and Halal Meats, 8767 Philadelphia Road, Rosedale, Maryland
brand: Chef/Shata Traders (milk pot, 24 cm)
Retailer: Punjabi Supermarket and Halal Meats, 8767 Philadelphia Road, Rosedale, Maryland
What should you do if you own this type of cookware?
As with every recall, the FDA advises consumers to discard these products. It also emphasizes not donating them.
The FDA noted that retailers “are responsible for ensuring that cookware sold and/or distributed for use in contact with food is safe for its intended use and complies with all FDA regulations.” It also noted that testing and monitoring are “ongoing” and that if other products are found to leach lead, they will be added to the list.
Why shouldn’t you use these products?
As the FDA explains, lead can “affect people of any age or health condition, and there is no known safe level of exposure to lead.” Even low levels of lead can cause toxicity, which is particularly problematic for children, who “may have no obvious symptoms but still experience learning difficulties, low IQ, and behavioral changes. When lead exposure is higher, people may experience fatigue, headaches, stomach aches, vomiting, or neurological changes.”
More information about lead and lead-contaminated cookware
Read the original article on Food & Wine